Pop Up Projects and Honors

Amy was honored to have been a speaker at the Sunshine from Darkness 2021 event along with the key note speakers, Steve Ford and Daryll Strawberry. Jeffery Peterson (middle) has carried on his family's foundation, Lee and Bob Peterson Foundation. The nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization is dedicated to raising funds for mental health research and local charities that provide mental health and addiction disorder services in the Sarasota community.

Photo by Cliff Roles

Wilkinson Elementary School received 30 new microscopes, known as magiscopes, from Steve & Amy as part of the Starfish Initiative created by Temple Emanu-El, a project that partners parishioners with students at the Title I school. The tools fit into Wilkinson's focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics curriculum, which the district has emphasized in recent years.

"The vision of the Wilkinson Elementary School STEAM program is for our school and community partners to work together to prepare students for the future," said Wilkinson's principal, Susan Nations, in a press release Friday. "...This generous donation helps advance that vision, as the students and teachers use these unique microscopes both in the classroom and in the field."

Photo by Sarasota Herald Tribune

Amy and Tamra Cajo, LCSW, Director of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic, and Jennifer Garafola met up for a celebration at Michael's on East to highlight The Florida Center for Early Childhood which is home to the state’s first and only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Clinic. 

The clinic is available to diagnose, make recommendations, provide necessary interventions and educate (families and communities) in order to reduce/prevent negative outcomes.

Photo by Cliff Roles

In Sarasota County if you live within two miles of a school district, busing is not available which can make it a bit difficult some days to get to and from schools. Check out this student's new pink bike from the iAmYes! Project. She was so excited to receive it and we gave her bike lessons. She is ready for the new school year!

We Believe in Solving Problems.

Watch and listen to the conversation that Amy makes for a case of giving. "The opposite of crisis is prevention and early intervention. This is why we gather together tonight. We have the power, collectively, with our philanthropic pocketbooks as well as our time, passion, relationships, ideas to create a sustainable proactive approach to mental health wellness in our schools that can lead to resilience.    My name is Amy Falk Weinberger, and I am told that I am a creative community connector. So I am asking you to join me in supporting wellness opportunities in our education communities."

Check out the Brookside Barracuda mural initiative that Amy was determined to have completed for the return of students in 2022. Thank you to muralist, Pam Olin and community volunteers. There are two murals at the campus: one at the carline and one at the bus lane. Students, staff, and administrators have a local meeting space for social media photos and for school beautification and spirit.